2x All-NBA Star Makes Controversial Celtics-Thunder Statement

Former Pelicans star DeMarcus Cousins previewed a potential OKC Thunder and Boston Celtics Finals matchup.

Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves the ball around Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

After building one of the most well-rounded rosters in recent NBA memory, the Boston Celtics went 16-3 in the 2023 playoffs and took down the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals with ease.

The Celtics are already looking to replicate their success from last year, starting the 2024-25 season with a 26-10 record, and are the favorites in many people's eyes to repeat as NBA champs.

On the other side of the league, though, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been dominating the Western Conference. The Thunder have started their season 30-5, coming off a statement win over the reigning champion Celtics on Sunday.

Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the third quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Many fans went into the Thunder-Celtics matchup thinking about the potential 2025 NBA Finals preview, as Oklahoma City showed they are fully capable of taking down this dominant Boston squad.

Former New Orleans Pelicans star and two-time All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins joined FanDuel's Run It Back show to share his take on a potential Thunder-Celtics Finals matchup, and how OKC would likely fall short despite having a talent advantage.

"I think [the Thunder] have the talent to [win the NBA title], I absolutely do," Cousins said. "But, it all comes back down to experience. A regular season game compared to a seven-game series? That's two different monsters. That Celtics team has plenty of experience of being under that spotlight. This OKC team is young and upcoming. Full of talent. I think they have plenty of title runs down the line, but as of right now, I'm gonna roll with the defending champs."

The Thunder have the talent to take down the Celtics in the NBA Finals, but not the experience 👀@BoogieCousins explains why a regular season win isn't enough to give OKC the edge over Boston

📺 https://t.co/scN6pI2dPF@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/mWkn6D6AgM

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2025

Oklahoma City is currently on a 15-game win streak, rolling through the entire NBA en route to the number one seed in the West. While a Thunder-Celtics Finals matchup seems like destiny, nobody truly knows if the experience in Boston would outweigh the immense young talent in Oklahoma City.

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